Peter Donegan will return to Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2024 (MIFGS) to design his second show garden there since winning Gold medal April 2023.
The Southern Hemispheres largest and most prestigious flower show is hosted at the UNESCO world heritage Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens and Irelands leading garden designer Peter Donegan will once again team up with landscape contractor Martin Semken of Semken Landscaping Pty Ltd.
A Moment in Time – Presented by Daisy’s Garden Supplies
Designed by: Peter Donegan Garden Design
Constructed by: Semken Landscaping
Design Assistant: Elif Ozturk
We are pleased to announce that ‘A Moment in Time’ at the 2024 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, designed by Peter Donegan Garden Design Peter Donegan and constructed by Semken Landscaping Pty Ltd will be created in support of the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA) Vic. DFWA’s purpose is to promote and protect the interests of serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
A Moment in Time – Presented by Daisy’s Garden Supplies is the story of an Air Force veteran who returns to a place he hoped to be able to recall home. The garden features a Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft, the project that once was a wished for return to flight of a then younger man, not complete in its repair or trajectory stalled by tree growth over time, stimulated only by the turbulence of what comes with the witness of conflict.
Set in South-Eastern Australia in the early 1980’s. The garden intends to highlight the difficulties some veterans may face when returning to their former lives or when trying to create a new path post service in the Air Force.
DFWA is an independent voice for Australian Defence Force members, veterans, and their families. They advocate to government on matters affecting this group of Australians in a hope to improve the support services available and the quality of life of all serving members and veterans.
Sadly life post service is not always a smooth transition for our veterans and some sobering statistics include:
- Close to 6,000 or 5.3% of Australia’s half a million current and former service personnel have experienced homelessness in the past year, a rate nearly three times higher than that of the broader population.
- Previously serving veterans are also more likely to die by suicide than the general population, the suicide rate among female veterans is 107% higher than the general population, and nearly 30% higher for men.
Serving members have lived and worked under situations where the body has been conditioned to be ready for any potential threat and danger which has increased the brain’s responsiveness. The brain then finds it difficult to modulate or tone down increased sensitivity to stress and external stimuli even once back in a safe environment.
More work needs to be done to protect the physical and mental health of current and former Defence Force members as well as all emergency services personnel throughout the country. Through the tireless work of volunteers at associations such as the Defence Force Welfare Association we have hope that adequate financial support, extensive health and wellbeing services, and a safe and secure retirement will be resources widely available for future generations who choose a life in our Defence Force and emergency services.
To find out more information about DFWA’s important work please visit dfwa.org.au.
If this information has raised any concerns for yourself or a loved one please reach out to a local organisation supporting wellbeing or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Information sourced from Defence Force Welfare Association (Vic), ‘Leave No Veteran Behind Report 2023’, and ‘MESHA Family Guide 2021’.
With thanks to A Moment in Time’s supporters: Bamstone, Bio Gro, Elif Ozturk Design Assistant, Established Tree Transplanters Daisy’s Garden Supplies Gardens at Night Lilydale Instant Lawn, Prestige Surfaces, Warners Nurseries, & Yards Landscaping .
About Peter Donegan Garden Design
2023 Peter Donegan became the first Irish landscape architect invited and accepted to design at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious flower show where he won Gold medal.
Peter returns to MIFGS and Australia as a garden judge and to design the shows featured garden March 2024.
Selected to represent Ireland to design & realise the WW1 Centenary Peace Garden at Château de Péronne in 2018, Peter returned in 2022 and designed a 2nd inaugurated garden at the 13th Century castle known also as the Historial de la Grande Guerre, home to Europe’s largest war museum.
From 2019 to 2022, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) silver medallist assumed the role of series garden designer for Ireland’s most watched TV show, RTE’s DIY SOS The Big Build.
In 2001, aged 24, horticulturist Donegan began designing under his own name and swiftly won a host of awards for 17th & 18th century gardens designed & show gardens at national competition.
Peter Donegan MSGD is a registered member of The Society of Garden Designers (UK), has been a garden judge in London and Melbourne and an international guest speaker, master of ceremonies and garden design lecturer.
Email: hello@doneganlandscaping.com
Phone: +353(87)6594688
